Cylinder assembly with movable liner



5 Sheets-Sheet 2 B. JOHNSTON ET AL CYLINDER ASSEMBLY WITH MOVABLE LINER Aug. 28, 1951 Filed April 23, 1949 1951 B. JOHNSTON ET AL 2,565,730

CYLINDER ASSEMBLY WITH MOVABLE LINER Filed April 23, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Aug. 28, 1951 CYLINDER AssEMBLY WITH MovABLE LINER Blaine Johnston, Pasadena, Robert B. Luirette,

Montebello, and, George W. Sinclair, Los Angeles, Calif., assignors to M. 0. Johnston, Glendale, Calif.

Application April 23, 1949, Serial No. 89,324

9 Claims. 1

This invention relates to an hydraulically 0P- erable device comprising a cylinder, a piston reciprocable therein, a Wire line or cable operated by the piston, means for sheathing and sealing the wire line, and a movable liner for the piston. As set forth in Mason United States Patent No, 2,340,794, granted May 6, 194i, entitled "Drilling Lift, an hydraulically operable lifting device having utility in drilling, servicing and operating an oil well is provided by means of one or more upright cylinders. A piston is disposed reciprocably within each of the cylinders, and a wire line or cable is operated by the piston. To seal the Wire line as it passes through one end of the cylinder, a plurality of nestable or telescoping tubes are provided, one of which is fixed to the piston and another to one end of the cylinder.

Asset forth in copendingapplication of Mac J. Kinsey, et al., Serial No. 89,322, filed April 23, 1949', entitled Portable Drilling Rig, an hydraulically operable device of the character described is advantageous'lyprovided with a tubular liner disposed concentrically of andspaced from the cylinder. Such a liner has several advantages. For example, as set forth in the abovementioned application, Serial No. 89,322, drilling lifts or rigs of the character described may employ cylinders of great height, e. g. about 100 feet, and a piston stroke of the same magnitude.

Obviously, inasmuch as the pis'to'n is in sliding, sealing engagement with the cylinder, the inner surface of the cylinder must be accurately machined.

Machining a large cylinder of the character described is an expensive and cumbersome operation. Furthermore, if the cylinder is damaged, operation of the piston will be impaired. As set forth in' the above-mentioned copending application, by providing a liner and disposing the same concentrically within and spacing it from the cylinder, these and other difficulties are in great measure obviated. Thus, the liner may be made of relatively light section and of a light alloy, and it is more easily machined than the outer cylinder. Moreover; damage to the cylinder does not necessarily result' in damage to the liner. Also, in an upright cylinder of great height, the provision of an" annular space between the outer cylinder and the" liner simplifies the hydraulic supply system. Thus, hydraulic pressure may be introduced into the annular space at the bottom of the cylinder and flow up and into the upper end of the liner.

A disadvantage snuexists in the case of an 2 hydraulically operable device of the character described incIuding an upright cylinder, aline r disposed concentrically therein and spaced therefrom, and a piston reciprocable Within the liner for operating a wire line. Thus, in prior designs of this character, a fixed liner has been provided extending from the bottom of the cylinder nearly to its upperend. Although such a liner is more easily constructed and machined than the outer cylinder, nevertheless diiiiculty is encountered in manipulating and machining an object of such great length and diameter.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved form of hydraulic device of the character described, including a cylinder, a liner disposed concentrically therein, and a piston reciprocable in the liner for operating a Wire line. Y 7 I,

It is a particular object of the invention to provide an hydraulically operable device of the character described, including a liner of the character described and a piston reciprocable therein, such liner being of considerably shorter length than the cylinder, yet allowing a maxi-- J mum stroke of the piston.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from the ensuing description and the appended claims. v

Certain forms which the invention may assume are exemplified in thefollowing description and illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which: I

Fig. 1 is a more or less diagrammatic view showing the hydraulic device of the invention in vertical section and also showing the sheathing tubes in their extended positions and the piston at the end of its upstroke. I

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the sheathing tubes in collapsed position and the piston at the end of its downstroke.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, vertical sectional View on a larger scale thanthat of Figs. land 2, taken through the upper and intermediate portions of the cylinder showing means for latching the liner and the upper section of the cylinder in their up positions Fig.4 is a diagrammatic, vertical sectional view as in Fig. l, but illustrating a different em bodiment' of the invention and showing" the sheathing tubes in their extended position and the piston at the end of its upstroke.

Fig. 5 is a View similar to that of Fig. 4, but with certain parts omitted and showing thepis= ton at an intermediate position and one set of tubes in collapsed position.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to that of Fig. l, but showing the piston at the end of its downstroke and the tubes completely collapsed.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary, sectional view of yet another embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings and more par ticularly to Figs. 1 to 3, the device of the invention is shown in one of its forms and is generally designated as ID. The device comprises an upright cylinder It including an upper section I2 and a lower section 53. As illustrated, the upper and lower sections I2 and I3 are telescopically arranged, upper section I2 being of lesser diameter than and being received in the lower section I3. Lower section 53 is provided at its upper end with an internal flange I l and upper section i2 is provided at its lower end with a flange it: which is in slidable, sealing engagement with both the lower section I3 and a liner 22 by means of rings I6 seated in annular recesses 11. As shown in Fig. 3, the upper section I2 is latched in its extended position by means of desired number of latch pawls it (of which only one is shown) pivotally supported on the lower section l3 above the flange I5, and a fixed annular latch member I9 fixed to the upper section I 2. To secure the pawls I8 in latched position an annular wedge Illa is provided which is driven downwardly into firm engagement with the pawls I3.

A supply conduit 20 communicates with the cylinder at its lower end and a piston 2i is provided which is reciprocable within a movable liner 22. A wire line or cable 23 is fixed at one end to the piston 2|, passes through the lower end of the cylinder through a passage 24 and is led over bottom sheave 25 and a crown sheave 25 journaled in a crown block 27. A hook Z8 is fixed to the. other end of the wire line I3.

Also illustrated is a plurality of nestable tubes generally designated as 38, which function to sheath the wire line 23. The tubes 38 include an innermost tube 3! fixed to the piston 2 i, an outermost tube 32 fixed to the bottom of the cylinder and any desired number of intermediate tubes 33, 34, etc., of which only two are shown for purposes ofillustration. Each of the intermediate tubes 33 and 34 and the outermost tube 32 is provided at its upper end with an internal flange 35, and

the innermost tube 3i and each of the intermee diate tubes 33 and 3 is provided with an external flange S6 at its lower end. As is well known, the internal and external flanges 35 and 35 serve as sealing members and also as limit members to limit movement of the tubes 33 on the upstroke of piston 2 l.

The liner 22 is provided at its upper end with an internal flange 37 and with an external flange 38. At an intermediate position the liner 22 is provided with radially spaced lugs 39, and at its lower end the liner is provided with an external flange ll having vertical passages 2 formed therethrough. The top and bottom flanges t8 and ll are in slidable engagement with the upper and lower sections 12 and i3, respectively, of the cylinder ii. At its upper end the cylinder II is provided with air bleed passages 65.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 3 in which the piston 2I is shown in two different positions, a top latch 56 is provided, such latch comprising a pawl i pivotal about a fixed axis 52.

The pawl 51 is urged counterclockwise as viewed in Fig. 3 by means of a spring 53 so as to seat in a recess 5 formed in the flange 3? when the liner is in its upper position. The lugs 39 are providsure to bear against flange E5 of upper cylinder section I2 and against piston 2i. Section I2 and piston ZI will move upwardly together until annular member i9 limits against flange 34. The cylinder is now in its extended position and it will be latched in such position by means of pawls I8 and wedge Ida. Continued application of pressure will disengage piston 21 from pins 55, thus unlatching it, and it will travel to the top of the cylinder as shown in Fig. 1. On striking flange 31 at the upper end of liner E2, piston ill will carry the liner upwardly until it also reaches the top of the cylinder and is latched in its up position by means of pawls 55.

When it is desired to lower the hook 28 and a load suspended therefrom, pressure is bled through conduit 26. The load on hook 28 will pull downwardly on piston 2 I, causing it to travel down the liner 22. On striking lugs 39, the piston will rock pawl M (which has a slanting nose, as illustrated) and will disengage it. Thereafter, liner 22 will travel downwardly with the piston to the position shown in Fig. 2 (except, of course, that the upper cylinder section I? will remain in its up position).

When it is desired to lift a load, pressure is admitted through conduit 28, and piston 2i and liner 22 will undergo the sequence described above with reference to erection of the cylinder.

Meanwhile, as-piston 2| moves up or down, the nestable tubes 39 will extend or retract to provide at all times a sheathing for the wire line 23.

Referring now to Figs. 4, 5 and 6, there is' shown another embodiment of the invention which is generally designated as H and which comprises a cylinder 12. The cylinder 12 includes an upper section 13 and a lower section I4 which are of sectional, telescoping construction as in the case of the cylinder of Figs. 1, 2 and 3, and are provided with similar means (not shown) for latching them in the extended position. A liner F7 is provided in which a piston 78 is reciprocable. The liner TI is provided at its upper end with an internal flange 19 and an external flange 38 and at its lower end it is provided with an external flange having passages 8'? formed therethrough. A plurality of nestable tubes collectively designated as 8! are provided, comprising an upper set of tubes 88 and a lower set of tubes 89. The upper set of tubes 88 comprises an innermost tube 96 fixed to the piston, an outermost tube ill fixed to the lower end of the liner I! and intermediate tubes 92 and 93. The lower set of tubes 89 comprises an innermost tube 96 fixed to the lower end of the liner I1 and to the tube 9 I, an outermost tube 95 fixed to the bottom of the cylinder and intermediate tubes 96 and 91. These tubes are provided with flanges as illustrated and in the same manner as the tubes illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, for the purpose of providing a sealing engagement between the tubes and to limit their axial movement. The cylinder I2 is provided at its lower end with a supply conduit 98, and a wire line 99 is fixed at one end to the piston 18 and is led over a bottom sheave I00 5 and a Crown sheave HH and is operated by the piston.

In operation, this embodiment of the invention functions as follows: In Fig. 6 the piston is shown in its down position and the upper and lower sets of tubes 88- 'and 89" are shown in their collapsed or tele'scoped condition. Also, the liner TI is shown in its down position. When fluid under pressure is admitted to" the cylinders through the conduit- 08 the piston 78' is pushed upwardly tothe top of the liner 'I'I thus extending the" upper set of tubes 88" as illustrated in Fig. 5. Thereafter, further upward travel of the piston will carry with it the liner TI to the top of the cylinder, thereby extending the lower set-oi nestable tubes 89, as illustratedin Fig. 5

It will be noted that the liner" is floating and is at-ali times free to move relatively tothe piston except when the piston is' at the end of a stroke. Thus, the liner is notprovided with a mechanical latch for latching it in either its 1113*1 down position as in the case of the deviceof Figs. 1 and' '2.

Ordinarily, this freedomof movement of the liner would be objectionable. lhus', in moving the piston I0 between twopredetermined positiO'IlS in the cylinder 12 it is desirable that a predetermined, constant quantity of fluid bedslivered to or drained from the cylinder. Since the liner I1 is free tomove, thisisobviously impossible without the provision ofrneans to-eoz'npensate for the displacement of void created by movement of the liner. Such ceinpensa'ting means is provided by thenest'able tube arrangement illustrated in the drawings and described hereinabove. ihus, assume that while the piston 75 moves from its bottom position; as shown in 6, to its intermediate position, afsfishownin Fig. 5', the liner 11 also moves upwardly. Such movement of the liner tends to create'avoid, but

such movement will alsoextend the lowerset' of l nestable tubes 89. The extension of these nestable tubes will displace liquid while the upwardly moving liner is creating a void, and by simple calculations based upon the dime sions of the liner and ofthe nestable tubes 8'9, it is possible to design and provide tubes which will displace an amount of liquid equal in volume to the'void created by the liner. Similarly, when'the piston I8 moves downwardly from it's top position,v as shown in Fig. 4, should the liner also move downwardly before the upper set of tubes 88 are completely collapsed, the liner will of course displace fluidin" the'lower p'art'of the cylinder l2. However, in so moving, the liner will cause the lower set of tubes 89 to collapse, thus creating a void equal to the volume of liquid displaced By the liner.

Referring now to Fig. 7, there is shown still another embodiment of the invention. which is generally designated as I I5 and whichcomprises a sectional, telescoping cylinder including an upper Section H2 and a lower section ll'et provided with latch means (not shown) as in the case of the cylinders described above and with a liner I I5. A piston I I6 is reciprocable in the liner and operates a wire line II'I. A supply conduit IIB communicates with the lower end of the cylinder III. The liner II 5 is formed at its upper end with an internal flange I It and with an external flange I28, and at its lower end the liner is formed with an external flange I26 having pa..- sages I27 formed therethrough. A plurality of nestable tubes are provided for sealing the wire line II'I, such tubes comprising an innermost tube I28 fixed to the piston, an intermediate considerably smaller length than the cyl' It Will I bestoreu or trans orted, it'- tube I29 in slidable, sealing engagement with the tube I28 and a tube I30 in slidable, sealing engagement with the tube I29. The tube I30 is in slidable, sealing engagement with a flange or 001- lar I3I fixed to the lower end of the liner and having passages I32 formed therethrough. At its lower end, the tube I30 is provided with an external flange I 34 which is in slidable, sealing engagement with a tube I35 which is fixed to the collar I3I. The tube I35 is slidable in an intermediate tube I36. The tube I36 is, in turn, in slidable, sealing engagement with an outermost tube I37 fixed to the bottom of the cylinder.

This embodiment of the invention operates similarly to that illustrated in Figs. 4, 5 and 6. That is to say, the liner I I5 is of the floating type and is not latched mechanically in either its up or down position. Thus, the liner H5 is free to move relatively to the piston H6 and to displace fluid or to create a void. However, as in the case of the device of Figs. 4, 5 and 6, the nestable tube arrangement is such as to compensate for liquid displacement or the voids resulting from movement of the liner II5. V

Thus, it will be apparent that an hydraulically operable device has been provided including a cylinder, a liner disposed concentrically within and spaced from the cylinder, a piston reciprocable in the liner, a wire line operated by the piston, and sealing means com-prising nestable tubes for seajling'th'e wire lines. Such device is' operable to perini-ta long stroke of the piston, yet the liner is of in factj-it is only about half the length a apparent that-a considerable sa material is effected. 5f even greater import a saving in manufacturingco'stsi's effected I irig to'th fact that the short liner is" much easier" t0 manipulate and machine. Several forms of the device areprovided, one of which includesinechanical latch means for latchingthe liner in'its up position until it is disengaged therefrom by meanso'f the piston, thereafter traveling with the pistoneither upwardly or downwardly within" the cylinder. In other forms of' tl e invention, the l-llll" ls'flee to fld'at O1 -1"e1atively to the illston'piit means is rovided for compensating for acer'nent' of liquid or the creatiun of vo'ids'res-ulting rrom' movement of the liner. In'all roars or the invention, provision is isomad'e iortelescoping the cylinder. Thus nthedevice'isto v pe-oouapsed-into a relatively small, compact form. v

While we have shown the preferred form of ourinventioii, it istobe'uhd tood thatvaiious made its ifOTlStlllfitlOrlbY tildse Skilled" the art without departing. fld'fii the spilitof' theinvellti onasdefifled iii the appended 1 claims,

haying-thus described ourinvention', what" we claim and desire" to secure by Letters Patent is'f piston reciprocable within the liner for operating a wire line fixed thereto and passing through one end of the cylinder, latch means at one end of the cylinder for latching the liner at said end of the cylinder, and abutment means for engaging said piston to cause the piston and liner to travel together in both directions, said abutment means including a first abutment member nearer said latch means and a second abutment member spaced farther from said latch means, said latch means being yieldable so as to unlatch the liner whenthe piston strikes said second xabutment member.

2. A fluid pressure operated device comprising a cylinder having a fluid pressure inlet and outlet, a liner reciprocable within and of substantially shorter length than the cylinder, 2. piston reciprocable within the liner, and means actuated by the liner operable to compensate for movement of the liner relative to the piston and thereby maintain a constant fluid capacity in the cylinder for a given position of the piston with respect to the cylinder.

3. Afiuid pressure operated device comprising a cylinder having a fluid pressure inlet and outlet, a liner reciprocable within and of substantially shorter length than the cylinder, a piston reciprocable within the liner, and means actiated by the liner operable to compensate for movement of the liner relative to the piston and thereby maintain a constant fluid capacity in the cylinder for a given position of the piston with respect to the cylinder, said means comprising a group of nestable tubes fixed at one end to the cylinder and at the other end to the liner, said tubes being extended or collapsed by movement of the liner to thereby create a displacement or a -void to compensate for a void or displacement caused by movement of the liner.

4. A fluid pressure operated device comprising a cylinder having a fluid pressure inlet and outlet, a liner reciprocable within and of substantially shorter length than the cylinder, a piston reciprocable within the liner, a first set of nest- 8 stantially lesser length than the total length of the cylinder, said liner being provided with axially spaced abutment means to engage the piston so that the liner will be carried by the piston from end to end of the cylinder.

7. A collapsible hydraulic device comprising an outer cylinder of sectional, telescopic construction including a first section of greater diameter and a second section of lesser diameter telescopic within the first section, means for clamping said sections in coaxial, end-to-end relationship, a piston and tubular liner for the piston movable axially within the cylinder, said liner being provided with axially spaced abutment means for engaging the piston so that piston will carry the liner from end to end of the cylinder.

8. A collapsible hydraulic device comprising an outer cylinder of sectional, telescopic construction including a first section of greater diameter and a sec-0nd section of lesser diameter telescopic within the first sec-tion, means for clamping said sections in coaxial, end-to-end relationship, a piston and tubular liner for the piston movable axially within the cylinder, said liner being provided with axially spaced abutment means for engaging the pistons so that piston will carry the liner from end to end of the cylinder, a cable fixed to the piston and passing through one end of the cylinder and a plurality of telescoping able tubes including a tube fixed to one end of thecylinder and a tube fixed to one end of the liner, and a second set of nestable tubes including a tube fixed to said end of the liner and a tube fixed to said piston, said tubes being such as to displace liquid when extended and to create a void when collapsed to compensate for variations in fluid capacity of the cylinder resulting from ,movement of the liner.

5. A fluid pressure operated device comprising a. cylinder having a fluid pressure inlet and outlet,

a liner reciprocable within and of substantially.

shorter length than the cylinder, a piston reciprocable within the liner, and a plurality of nestable tubes including a tube fixed to the piston, a tube fixed to one end of the cylinder, and an intermediate tube fixed to one end of said liner,

said tubes being such as to displace liquid when extended and create a void when collapsed to compensate for variations in fluid capacity of the cylinder resulting from movement of the liner.

tubes for sheathing the cable comprising a tube fixed to the piston and a tube fixed to said end of the cylinder.

9. A collapsible hydraulic device comprising a cylinder including top and bottom sections, said top section being of lesser diameter than and telescopic Within said lower section, means for clamping said sections in end-to-end, coaxial relationship, a tubular liner disposed coaxially of and slidable in said upper section, said liner being of substantially lesser length than said cylinder, and being provided with guide means at its upper and lower ends for guiding and centering it in said upper and lower sections, respectively, abutment members disposed within and spaced axially of said liner, 9, piston reciprocable within said liner between said abutment members, a wire line fixed to said piston and passing through one end of said cylinder, and. a plurality of telescoping tubes for sheathing said wire line including a tube fixed to said piston and a tube fixed to said cylinder.

BLAINE JOHNSTON. ROBERT B. LUIRETTE. GEORGE W. SINCLAIR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 715,715 Weber Dec. 9, 1902 2,240,794 Mason May 6, 1941 2,487,920 Celenza Nov. 15, 1949 

